区别辨析continual、continuous、successive、constant与persistent

continual、continuous、successive、constant与persistent这些形容词均有“连续的、不断的”之意。

continual : 强调重复或持续发生,但连续之间允许有间断。

  • He was in a continual process of rewriting his material.
    他一直在不断地改写他的材料。

continuous : 语意最强,强调在时间和空间上没有间断。

  • She was in continuous employment until the age of sixty-five.
    她连续不断地受雇于人,一直工作到六十五岁。

successive : 强调事物一个接一个地发生,无间断。

  • This was their fourth successive win.
    这是他们连续第四次获胜。
  • Successive governments have tried to tackle the problem.
    历届政府都试图解决这个问题。

constant : 多指习惯性的重复和不变的持续。

  • constant interruptions
    无休止的干扰
  • a constant stream of visitors all day
    整天络绎不绝的游客

persistent : 普通用词,可指不懈的努力,也可指任何连续不断或重复出现的事物。

  • a persistent offender
    惯犯
  • How do you deal with persistent salesmen who won't take no for an answer?
    你怎么对付那些不轻言放弃、一直纠缠下去的推销员?